Through text and photographs, Donald Saunders explores the history of the Rumple Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock, NC, as well as its members from the Blowing Rock community.

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This work is an interesting look at the history of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, a popular historic and tourist attraction, from its earliest settlers in the 1700s to the 1960s. The book includes images and a section titled "A Photographic Tapestry" with photographs of Blowing Rock by Jerry W. Burns. It also covers the history of great estates, prominent people, the education system, and religious heritage.

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Ruth South talks about working with the NYA (National Youth Administration) under Roosevelt's New Deal policy and the classes she took on weaving. She has been weaving with homespun wool her whole life and sees homemade crafts as a very important part of life. It is certainly an integral part of the mountain community life during the early twentieth century. South also took classes in wood-working at Pendelum and Berea.

Ethel Burns grew up and eventually took over the Sunshine Inn, an establishment that housed "the summer people" or the upper-class tourists who came to Blowing Rock over the summer for vacation. They housed them and provided three meals a day for fifteen dollars a week. She recalls that everyone felt a sort of reverence for the summer people but her father "still felt his authority and his own individuality in his relationship to them." The tourists didn't have much to do in Blowing Rock in those days, only hiking and walking and spending time with the other residents.

Carter Rupard talks about growing up on a farm in Cove Creek with his many siblings. He says that they "lived better than we can now" and that "we hardly ever went to buy anything unless it would be a poke of flour ever once in awhile." His family was totally self-sufficient with their farm, and they had to work very hard every day of the week.

These diary entries range from the dates of January 1, 1909 to September 30, 1909. Each day Andrew Jackson Greene made a short record of everything he had done that day. The entries include familiar names such as Hugh Hagaman, John Daugherty, and Thomas M. Warren. They also include local places such as Fork Ridge, Mabel, and Sugar Grove.

This diary includes entries from September 1-November 14, 1917. Greene wrote each day about his work, the weather, and events within the community, especially church events. People mentioned in this diary include Mr. Walker Tatum, B.B. Daugherty John Morgan, Rev. Mr. Adams, and Rev. Mr. Clark. Places mentioned through this diary include Asheville, Blowing Rock, Boone, Watauga County, Camp Jackson in Columbia SC, and many more.

This is a diary with daily entries by Andrew Jackson Greene from July 20 to August 31, 1919. Greene wrote about his daily activities, the weather, the church, and his work at Appalachian Training School during July and August. Places mentioned in this diary include Boone, Mabel, Blowing Rock, Beaver Dam, and Eastern Training School.

Andrew Jackson Greene kept this diary from February 13 through May 17, 1929. Greene continues teaching at Appalachian State Normal School. The school competes in basketball with Cullowhee Normal. Keeping this diary is a release for Greene. He admits that the days he is not able to write are hard for him. He writes what he did that day, who he saw, and what happened in and around the community.

This diary was recorded from July 30 through August 17, 1938 by Andrew Jackson Greene. Greene recorded all of his innermost thoughts about the day. He recorded rare sightings, conversations that he recalled, how he slept, what he thought about the Bible lessons he heard, almost everything that happened to him during the day. He provided information to readers in a very real way. In this diary one can find information about the churches he attended, the culture of Appalachian State Teachers College at the time, some local news, and community events.

This diary was recorded by Andrew Jackson Greene from August 18 through September 4, 1938. Inside this diary one will find personal reflections and records. Greene recorded the daily weather, and his many travels. He also wrote each day about what he had done, observed, and heard. Through these writings one can find information about the many different areas of Watauga County from Vilas to Boone, including many landmarks such as Appalachian State Teachers College, and Willowdale Baptist Church.

This diary was recorded by Andrew Jackson Greene from April 8 through June 3, 1939. Beginning the new diary, Greene claimed that he ”hoped to leave on record that life is composed of the common things.” He believed that it is perfectly acceptable to magnify them. He continued to write in this diary, as the previous volumes, his reactions to events and people that he came into contact with. Usual topics range from Willowdale Church, Appalachian State Teachers College, his family and friends, and Watauga County local news and events.

“Charles” Wesley Bolick was born on August 15, 1897 in the Mulberry Valley community of Caldwell County about ten miles from Blowing Rock, North Carolina. His parents were Emanuel (b. October 24, 1852 - d. August
16, 1926) and Mary Vienna Sherrill Bolick (b. April 1860 – d. August 27, 1934). He had four siblings and was married to Elizabeth “Libby” Gomer Bolick (b. October 7, 1881 – d. January 16, 1983). Charles Bolick died on April 29, 1996 at the age of 98.

During the interview he talks about his parents and siblings, selling whiskey, making apple brandy, living off the land and making everything the family needed. He reflects on the Depression, and attending school. He also discusses making molasses, sleeping on a rope bed, courting, digging for ginseng, and the floods of 1916 and 1940.